Frank Cook & the Night Raiders

Frank Cook & the Night Raiders in 1965 when they recorded on Virgelle Records in Seattle, WA. Credit: Seafair Bolo Records

Releases on Julian:

J-111 Just Wishing b/w People Ask Me

J-114 They Don’t Pick Cotton in Chicago b/w Sailor’s Lament

Frank Cook in 1965, at age 27. Credit: Seafair Bolo Records

Frank Cook & the Night Raiders were a Pacific Northwest touring group, active from the early ’60s to the mid ’90s.

The group played nightly (6 nights a week) in the Kiltie Room in Wenatchee, WA’s Columbia Hotel. During this period, Frank recruited Jerry Coots and Bobby Simmons on drums and guitar, respectively. In the mid ’70s Jerry Coots was replaced by Jimmy Cook and Bobby Simmons was replaced by Steve Barone (of the Chargers). Rick Cooper (an early member of the Talismen) and Jim Highfill (of Linda Jo & the Nomads) also performed as the Night Raiders for some time! Rick Cooper added.. “Wenatchee bands were like family.”

In later years the group went on to play the Wagon Wheel Bar, and fairs in Orville and Ferry County.

Frank passed away in June of 2012. The Wenatchee World wrote a piece on his passing, which can be read here.

Thanks to Rick Cooper, Steve Barone, Seafair Bolo Records, Frank Cook & his family for making this page possible!

If you would like to share any stories of Frank or the Night Raiders, be sure to leave a comment below!

10 thoughts on “Frank Cook & the Night Raiders”

You should give ol’ Frank a call…I know he has photos and records from this era; I have seen them several times. In the mid 80’s, when Bobby Simmons was no longer able to play, I joined Frank for the next ten years, right up to his unfortunate stroke in 1995. I had more fun, and made more money, with Frank than any other band before or since…and there have been many!!! I miss Frank. The Night Raiders were a big deal for at least thirty years, and I used to watch him as a kid and dream of some day being good enough to play with him…and so I am grateful for what time we shared together. We had some good ones…usually every weekend!!! I believe he still lives up near Squilchuck.

Frank was my grandpa. He was the nicest man you would have ever met! I miss him so much. I believe he is up in heaven with his maker. My grandpa was such a big Christian. I miss him so so much! I love you grandpa, and I wish you were here! My grandpa inspired me to sing. Singing is my passion. I used to sing with my grandpa when I was little, I’m 13 now, I always knew he was a musician since I was little and I have always wanted to be just like him. Now, I sing for him. He is my motivation. He also taught me how to ride my first horse, so when and if i get to ride, I always think of him. I go up to his house every once in a while and just sit in his old chair and think of him and wish he was right next to me. I miss him. I can’t wait to see him again some day.

Vern Franklin Cook was my Dad.
I was born in 1960 and by that time my Dad had already been playing music here in Wenatchee. He played first at the Orondo tavern which is now McGlinn’s. I would go to the Columbia hotel as a small child and watch him sing from the doorway to the bar. He would even play some rock songs for me when I got older even though he was “country”.
My Dad was a loving father and very proud of his children (4 daughters) and 6 Grandchildren.
I will see you in heaven Daddy ♡ Sheri